Hong Kong Kicks Off Preparations For Upcoming 2024 Women’s U20 Championship
From Worldlacrosse.sport
The Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association celebrated the upcoming 2024 Women’s U20 Championship, which it is set to host from August 15-24, with a press conference that included numerous distinguished guests.
The press conference was held June 1 to kick off the lead-up to the championship. Numerous distinguished guests were present, including Sam Wong, commissioner for sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Hon Vincent Cheng, Legislative Council member; Edward Yu Kin Keung, district officer (Yau Tsim Mong); Warren Allderigde Dudley, HKLA chairman; Sonia Lo, former windsurfing athlete; and Kenneth Chiu, Hong Kong’s first professional baseball player.
The championship will kick off at Mong Kok Stadium, which will be the venue for the semifinals and finals, as well as opening and closing ceremonies. The other matches will be held at the Sham Shui Po Sports Ground, Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground and Shek Kip Mei Park.
The 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship has been designated as an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizing spectacular and signature events in the territory’s sports calendar.
“It is a great honor that Hong Kong has been chosen as the host city for the event, as is the opportunity to host such a high-level lacrosse tournament for the first time,” said Allderidge Dudley. “Along with the athletes will come their coaches, families and fans of the game. We hope that they will enjoy the games as well as the wonderful sights, restaurants, museums and people of Hong Kong. We know that the city will welcome them.”
The 2024 Women’s U20 Championship has received strong support from various government parties.
“We are delighted that Hong Kong is hosting such a grand sports event, and we hope that the players will not only participate in the competition, but also have the opportunity to explore Hong Kong and our Yau Tsim Mong district, experiencing the spirit of Hong Kong,” said Yu Kin Keung.
Athletes in attendance, including Lo, Chiu and athletes from the Hong Kong Women’s U20 National Lacrosse Team expressed their excitement about the special opportunity to represent Hong Kong and to compete against the best young athletes in the sport.
Hong Kong Head Coach Gemini Fan said: “This is an amazing opportunity for our Hong Kong athletes to compete on home soil in front of their family and friends. We look forward to seeing how our young players can cope with the pressure and showcase the strength of Hong Kong lacrosse to the world. We also hope that through this unprecedented lacrosse event held in the bustling city, we can further promote our love for the sports in Hong Kong.“
A series of pre-event activities will be launched in the coming months. Notably, on July 13-14, a roadshow will take place at The Forest in Mong Kok, followed by another roadshow at the West Kowloon Cultural District Piazza C on August 10-11. The events will feature a range of activities to increase public awareness of lacrosse development and further promote the development of sports in Hong Kong.
Tickets for the championship are available here.